Sanding tool with protective clamping mechanism

A hand-held, manually-operated sanding tool for use with a replaceable sheet-like abrasive material, the sanding tool comprising:

• (a) a base member defining first and second opposed ends, a bottom surface, and at least one upper contact surface opposite the bottom surface and adjacent one of the first and second ends;
• and
• (b) a clamping mechanism including:
• a pivoting member having a mounting section pivotally connected to the base member adjacent the upper contact surface and a front section opposite the mounting section,
• wherein the pivoting member can rotate relative to the base member between a closed position in which the front section is proximate the upper contact surface and an open position in which an increased spacing is established between the front section and the upper contact surface,
• and further wherein rotation of the pivoting member relative to the base member beyond a maximum open position is limited,
• a tensioning member including a gripping wall defining a trailing region extending from the front section of the pivoting member, an intermediate region extending from the trailing region, and a leading region extending from the intermediate region and terminating in a leading edge opposite the intermediate region,
• wherein the clamping mechanism is configured such that in the maximum open position, the leading region orients the leading edge inwardly away from the intermediate region to minimize contact between the leading edge and a user's finger inserted between the gripping wall and the upper contact surface,
• and further wherein the clamping mechanism serves to contact and tension a sheet of abrasive material placed between the gripping wall and the contact surface upon transitioning from the open position to the closed position.